Here’s How to Use Animal Print in Your Home This Year—Without Overdoing It

Animal print can sometimes feel like a daunting design element to incorporate into your home, but it does not have to scare you away. In fact, when used thoughtfully, it can give a room a subtle jolt of energy. Luxury designer Rachel Brown of RB Interiors finds that animal prints tap into something deeply human, bringing a sense of organic and playful wildness into a space.

“With the world in the shape that it is right now, people want that dopamine punch in their surroundings,” she says. Her advice? Inject more personality and fun with pops of your favorite prints.

Brown says the easiest way to experiment with animal print is curating a collection of pillows. Try a zebra print, try a Bambi print, and include some solid colors like red, blue, or white. Throw those pillows on the couch and check in with yourself: Does it create that 2026 excitability without clashing or stirring up a sense of overwhelm?

“If the animal print does not elevate the room, or if it creates more chaos… then that is not the area to use the animal print,” Brown says. 

Another one of Brown’s methods involves featuring animal print as an accent in more neutral rooms, especially when it’s used sparingly. Instead of a bolder zebra fabric, she says some places might work well with a more delicate Bambi print chair in the room. 

“That still instinctually brings out an exciting vibe, but it doesn’t overpower the room,” she says. 

Brown says people often have preconceived feelings toward animal print, making them shy away from utilizing the design, or believe that it’s only suited for a specific type of design. However, Brown maintains that even the most subtle animal print accents should only elevate the existing decor in your space. And with it, bring you a boost of energy and joy.